Matt's El Rancho

Matt's El Rancho is an iconic Austin institution with a rich history dating back to 1952 when Matt and Janie Martinez opened their original restaurant on East 1st Street in downtown Austin. The restaurant began with just 40 seats and no employees, with Matt working the front of the house while Janie created everything from scratch in the kitchen.

The story of Matt's El Rancho actually begins even earlier, in 1923, when six-year-old Matt Martinez started selling tamales from a wooden pushcart near the Texas Capitol. This humble beginning eventually blossomed into one of Austin's most beloved Tex-Mex establishments.

Today, Matt's El Rancho has grown substantially - their South Lamar location seats more than 500 people while maintaining the family's commitment to made-from-scratch cooking. The restaurant remains family-owned and operated by Matt and Janie's daughters Gloria, Cecilia, and Cathy, along with daughter-in-law Estella.

What makes Matt's El Rancho special:

1. House-made tortillas from their in-house tortilla factory that grinds non-GMO corn daily
2. Famous margaritas made with fresh-squeezed lime juice
3. The legendary Bob Armstrong Dip - their famous queso served with seasoned ground beef and house guacamole
4. A diverse menu featuring Mexican classics and Tex-Mex favorites

The restaurant has become a cultural landmark in Austin, serving celebrities and locals alike - including President Lyndon Baines Johnson, who reportedly would send a jet to pick up his